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Here's a thought that just hit me.
(Hey, I'm a little slow sometimes. Especially when my mind is drunk on Green Goddess-ness.)

What if we're only getting 10 new characters a year because they decide to do a He-Man and Skeletor variant each year?

How do you feel about that?

Me personally?
I think I'd be okay with some variants. Battle Armor variants for sure because they looked so cool... But would I want them every year? Probably not. I wouldn't mind them every other year though.
They absolutely would make perfect Con Exclusives.
The other thing is, if this line doesn't really rely on, or feature gimmicks or action features, then what good is Thunder Punch He-Man other than he has a unique harness?
But then Terror Claws Skeletor would be really cool, as would Dragon Blaster.
And these all definitely fall in the "Classics" Mantra.

But please... Do not bring back the 200X variants for the most part. We don't want to bring up the bad tastes of the Smash blade variants.

However, an Ice Armor He-Man and a Fire Armor Skeletor could look rather neat in the retro-style...

I don't understand why everyone wants varients of the same figures. Wouldn't you want as many different characters. I would. If we get 10-14 figures a year including the con exclusives thats really not that many figures. And then every year we 2 hemans or skeleys. I rather have as many characters first then to your varients.

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Include HM and SK variants?
Or Give us as many characters as possible?

I'd vote for the latter.

I agree with you on this 100%. Even though, like many, I also got worn out on variants during the 200x line, I like the idea of HeMan/Skelly variants as con-excolusives. I also like the idea of the "variants weapons pack." The problem with this is that I'm sure Mattel realizes that they can make even more money by making the figures, (assuming that most people will buy them) than they can by putting the variant accessories into a weapons pack. Here's a thought: what about the most popular and most asked for variants (perhaps as voted on by the patrons of he-man.org ) in action figure form, and put the less popular variant pieces in a weapons pack? Seems like a win-win situation to me.

I don't appreciate varients that serve no purpose in the first year. The intention of the line is to wrangle new fans while pleasing existing fans. Loading the line with rescupts and varients doesn't do this. Varients have their place in any line; like Commando Snake Eyes or Kung Fu Spirit.

As soon as they mntioned 2 con exclusives per year, this is what I thought of. I'd prefer a unique character, but that would be a great way to get the classic variants out there without taking over a monthly figure slot. Plus, there probably wouldn't be the usual uproar that we normally get with con exclusives if the exclusives were variants. (Of course, it's probably folly to underestimate your average action figure collector's ability to complain. )

I'd love battle armor variants, and I'd also be interested in seeing live action movie variants, and maybe even a MOTUC style of the 200x He-Man and Skeletor. But those are the only He-Man and Skeletor variants I'd be interested in.

Instead of variants, I think they should sell "limited edition accessory packs". For instance they could sell a pack with armors for battle armor he-man and skeletor, since the armors are supposed to be removeable anyways.

Instead of variants, I think they should sell "limited edition accessory packs". For instance they could sell a pack with armors for battle armor he-man and skeletor, since the armors are supposed to be removeable anyways.

This was brought up in another thread and I think its a great idea. Its a win win situation. The varient lovers get there battle armor and then the toyline can continue without the same characters being made. It was said there will be no action features so a weapons armor pack would make sense. Mattel will make money and all is happy.

http://http://80sMasters.com/
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The battle armor are the only cool varients. But let's get at least half way thru the line before shoving varients at us.

http://http://80sMasters.com/
It's your place for Freedom of Speach for everything MOTU, POP, TMNT, , Horror, Wrestling, DC and Batman, and all other properties that are cool.
Is is now up and live please check it out and spread the word please!!!

I have very little interest in the different versions/variants. I never cared for them much in the classic line either as a kid. Maybe after a year or so, but certainly not before that. As con exclusives would be fine though.

" … the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few … "
" … or the one … "

If it's the original variants then I'd definitely want them. After seeing the new Classics He-Man sculpt I can only imagine how cool a Thunder Punch He-man or Dragon Blaster Skeletor would be! I'm hoping the new line is successful enough to include some bonus figures beyond the 12 per year planned. The Classics sculpts for He-Man and Skeletor are already completed; so they could create new armor and accessories and add an extra release to the schedule. For example a December Christmas surprise of a Battle Armor two pack sold alongside that months original figure. That way everyones happy and those of us who want the Classic variants will have a little something extra under the tree.

The only variants I'd understand are the ones that make sense. Not stuff like "power-ups" like Thunder Punch/Flying Fists/Snake Men Armor/Terror Claws/Dragon Blaster/Hurricane.

I COULD see variants that are of environmental concerns--i.e., Ice Armor He-Man for when he's in icy environments or MAA in a underwater variant of his armor. But Mattel should only do this when the line is winding down and they need the star power of the older characters to balance out the more obscure characters from NA and POP.

If there should be variants, we should get character-oriented variants, like Jungle Barbarian Alcala He-Man, blonde Alcala Teela, Kronus, Keldor, Captain Randor, Warrior Marlena, etc. Make THESE characters like convention/subscription exclusives.

Originally Posted by Multibot

another thing that bothers me is the sheer pointlessness of varients in the first place. If he-man is the most powerful man in the universe, why would he need special armor & other weapons in the first place? they apparently don't make him any more powerful than he already is, or he wouldn't be called the MOST powerful man in the universe.
i could see Skeletor making various weapons & gadgets to help him try to defeat He-man, but He-man is already as strong as he can get, so he doesn't need any of that other stuff to stop Skeletor & his goons.

In the classic line, He-Man got power-ups as Skeletor got better. There were threats that "normal" He-Man couldn't beat without some kind of power-up. His status as "The Most Powerful Man in the Universe" wasn't static. As his enemies evolved to counter his power, He-Man had to evolve to handle his enemies as they got increasingly powerful.

And no, I don't want "power-up" variants.

the only varients they would need to make imo, would be an 80's version & myp version for each character. If they did that, i'd buy both versions.

I agree!!!!

Last edited by MegaGearMax; August 4, 2008 at 12:34pm.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost

Naturally due to cost issues and the different molds on the original figures, Mattel could leave out the laser stuff. But the other variants all pretty much could work with the basic He-Man and Skeletor figures - okay, some details like TP He-Man's orange wristbands wouldn't be able to do, but IMO it's a small cost.

Naturally due to cost issues and the different molds on the original figures, Mattel could leave out the laser stuff. But the other variants all pretty much could work with the basic He-Man and Skeletor figures - okay, some details like TP He-Man's orange wristbands wouldn't be able to do, but IMO it's a small cost.

Well, I would want variants down the line. Variants that have story-value, or historical value, like Green Goddess and Savage He-man.

Story-value would be in year 3, if we finally get some NA figures, then obviously we need the NA He-man and Skelly.

Or the Movie figures as well, those make sense because it's an entire story of MotU with a similar theme.

And I'll admit it... I'd be interested in a Snake Armour He-man, just because he was so darn cool.

Some variants should certainly be con-exclusives, like perhaps Savage He-man, but others I'd definitely like to be regular figures.

And yes, variants make sense when you're trying to drum up some interest in more obscure characters, like I've already said about New Adventures and the old Movie.

Originally Posted by Drunken Fist

As soon as they mntioned 2 con exclusives per year, this is what I thought of. I'd prefer a unique character, but that would be a great way to get the classic variants out there without taking over a monthly figure slot. Plus, there probably wouldn't be the usual uproar that we normally get with con exclusives if the exclusives were variants. (Of course, it's probably folly to underestimate your average action figure collector's ability to complain. )

The first duplicated of He-Man and Skeletor I'd like to see are the New Adventures design. I'd also pick up a Battle Armor He-Man and Skeletor. I'm also a big flying fists He-Man fan, but I don't think we need that many He-Mans or Skeletors. If anything, just the New Adventures designs will be good with me.

The first duplicated of He-Man and Skeletor I'd like to see are the New Adventures design. I'd also pick up a Battle Armor He-Man and Skeletor. I'm also a big flying fists He-Man fan, but I don't think we need that many He-Mans or Skeletors. If anything, just the New Adventures designs will be good with me.

I agree, the NA ones would make really cool figures, I'd want the BA ones and maybe they could so a Snake Armor He-Man and Movie Skeletor and I'll be happy.

http://http://80sMasters.com/
It's your place for Freedom of Speach for everything MOTU, POP, TMNT, , Horror, Wrestling, DC and Batman, and all other properties that are cool.
Is is now up and live please check it out and spread the word please!!!